WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal funding totaling more than $1.3 million to help local communities in East and Southeast Texas rebuild housing and infrastructure destroyed by Hurricane Ike has been announced. According to U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) the Department of Housing and Urban Development will immediately receive $1,314,990,193 in Community Development Block Grant Funding for the area. “This is a time that southeast Texans can truly say they have a good reason to be thankful. Our communities left struggling after Hurricane Ike are ready to put this money to good use,” said Brady, who met with HUD offi cials repeatedly as this aid package was being hammered out. “I also appreciate Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston for coming to Texas immediately following Ike and being a strong advocate for our region,” Brady added. The funds are part of more than $2.1 billion HUD is releasing to 13 States and Puerto Rico. HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is designed to support the States’ long-term disaster recovery. CDBG funds will be used to provide housing assistance, rebuild local critical infrastructure destroyed by the storm, repair our waterways and ports, repair schools and universities, and to provide needed funding to help our small- and medium-sized businesses rebuild. The announcement is the beginning of the process and Congressman Brady will continue working with HUD to make sure Texas’ needs are provided for. Hurricane Ike was the third most destructive hurricane to hit the United States. Texas has estimated that damages from the 2008 hurricane season at over $29 billion.